Is it Mother's Day already?

Just read the comics from the Washington Post today. In Family Circus, the mom is taking part in the 2010 Census. Here's the cartoon:

Somewhat Wordless Wednesday

40!!

Yes, today I'm 40!! It's never quite phased me to get older. Being the youngest of 5 helps; having close friends older helps (and a few younger to keep me feeling young); and realizing it's just a number helps.

As of right now, I'm enjoying the last few minutes of a quiet household as Kevin took the boys to Martial Arts tonight. We'll hang out more this evening. Have some lasagna, bread, wine, angel food cake and chocolate mouse. Yummie!!!!!

As I haven't posted a photo in awhile, I snapped
this one this morning. My favorite cake cooling on a
bottle of my favorite wine!

It's been awhile

since I've posted. School has been moving along. Thing Two wrapped up "Wee Gillis" last week. We really enjoyed the book a lot. May just have to buy it. Thing One and I are still plugging along at Boxcar Children. This week, in school, we're mainly focusing on math and reading. A light week to allow me to get caught up on a few chores around the house.

Well, it's my last day in my 30's! Surprisingly not a big deal to me. It really feels just like another day. We'll see how things are tomorrow!

Slowly, the journey

continues.

After being prayed for last Tuesday, I was able to get a large chunk of the autobiography completed fairly easily. Another testimony to sharing your struggles, with believers, trusting in His timing, and waiting upon Him I am truly thankful for my church where it feels safe to share my struggles, to seek prayer, and to be broken.

Kevin and I have finished just about all the paper work completed for our Home Study. We still have four classes to take and wrap up our autobiographies. Both of which are moving along well. Please pray that we'll find the time and energy to complete these.

Thanks,

The journey continues . . .

into an unending pile of paperwork, it seems, for our home study. We have just a few more forms to sign and/or fill out, finish our autobiographies, wait on doctors & reference letters, and complete 10 hours of training. THEN, the home study portion can begin. It can feel very overwhelming the amount of research and writing that goes into all these forms. Figuring out how much is spent on school, loans, utilities, groceries, several different kinds of insurance, daycare, taxes, etc, etc, etc.

We have gotten a lot accomplished. It's just a matter of wrapping a few things up, training, and waiting some more. Feel like we're in the military or something ~ hurry up and wait!!!!

Where is the chicken?

And why is it missing it's head?

Okay, maybe not in reality, but I sure felt that way this morning. After a week of trying to fight a cold that turned into Strep Throat, I am finally feeling better and beginning to get caught up. This morning just seemed crazy busy trying to pull today's lessons together, let alone a weeks worth. I have a new appreciation for Public School Teachers; not sure how they pull lessons together when totally exhausted, sick, and needing to have things "together" by a certain time. At least with homeschooling, especially our Mondays, there is a bit of flexibility to our starting time. I'm caught up now and can get a bit ahead.

Thing Two is rowing "Wee Gillis" this week. I'm personally excited, because the story is set in Scotland and I am part Scottish if you trace up my mom's side of the family. Her maiden name is Keith and it can be traced back to the Keith Clan. Below is a picture of Dunnottar, which is the castle the Keith's ruled from.
Here's a picture of Keith's tartan:


One of these days soon, I'll have to see what my dad found, for his side of the family and their lineage, when he worked the Markham history. For now, I can share what I do know with our kids.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

10 or more years ago, I never would have imagined so many things go into an adoption. Would have thought it would be as simple as someone realizing they can't raise the child, another person wanting to raise a child, a lawyer, and another person/company to put the two families in touch.

I'm beginning to believe that this could be more of a challenging application than some of the places I've worked in the past. There are a number of financial questions, medical forms for all living in the household, reference letters, autobiography letters to be written, statement of faith, parenting classes, finger printing, background checks, and on it goes. Already having two boys of our own, I can only begin to understand the pain of having to put a child up for adoption. The need to know that your child will be loved and taken care of is great. The information gathered, by an adoption agency, helps orphanages and mothers to make a selection in who the child will be placed with.

As we wrap up the first set of papers, we believe we'll be adopting domestically ~ mainly because of the cost. We'll hopefully be able to pay for most of the adoption from our savings. Generally speaking, I'm not in favor of going into debt for most things. I'd rather cut out activities than borrow, thinking the money will be their later. Now we begin the journey of figuring out where to cut things in our budget so that we can save more! It's a good to know that we can tighten the purse strings, why we're doing it, and still be able to have some fun.

Keep us in your prayers,
now for financial wisdom.

Thanks,

Monday Musing

If ever there was a way to being a Monday and it felt like a Monday, today seems to fit the bill. I've been dealing with a sore throat, didn't sleep well, boys woke up on the wrong side of the bed, it's hard to talk, tons of school before us, tons of chores before us, blah, blah, blah.

Will definitely be a caffeine type of day, christian music playing when appropriate, breathing, remembering to take it slow, remembering that not all things need to be done today sort of day. Thankfully, boys are showered, coffee is being consumed, and the sun is shining. Thankful that quiet times don't have to be a fancy, huge deal. Simple prayers and remembering verses will be getting me through this day. If you care to join me today, I'm praying for clarity and for focus.

Happy Monday! And may it end on a better note than it began!